Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

Following my accident in 1994, I spent a year in physical therapy along with numerous trips to doctors and hospitals. They ran MRIs, CT Scans, EEGs as well as regulating my medicines to help alleviate the seizure activity I was having. When my wife and I look back on those years, its hard to believe how we (especially her), made it through that time in our lives. But we know without a shadow of a doubt that God was leading us each and every day giving us strength and going before us to make the crooked paths straight. His word tells us in Isaiah 45:2 that “He will go before us and will level the mountains; He will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” I’ve certainly found that you can very seldom if ever see God’s hand at work right then and there when you are experiencing a trial and He allows you to go through a time of testing. This is because He wants us to completely trust Him without any doubt that He is right there to lead us through the valleys of this life.

When the time came for me to begin a new career at thirty-four years of age, I admit it was one of the scariest and most anxious times of my life. When I graduated high school in 1981, in my mind, I never in a thousand years would have ever imagined that I would be returning to school. But, in the fall of 1997, I did just that with the help and support of my dear wife. In my mind, I never thought myself to be college material as I really didn’t like school and my grades were, well…let’s just say that they were far from honor roll status. When we sat down with the guidance counselor, I had no idea what program to enter into but computers came to mind and so I enrolled to obtain a degree in Computer Information Systems.

As I began classes, I of course had to begin taking all of my basic classes and to be in class with traditional age college students, was pretty intimidating. From that time, I began shifting my mind set and thoughts to trusting God that He once again was going before me and giving me the strength and determination to do what I had to do. I began dwelling on scriptures such as the opening verse above Romans 12:2. That verse says that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (our thoughts if you will). I had to completely shift my thoughts from I hope or I think I can to “I CAN” do this and “I WILL” do this! Furthermore Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” and that we can do “ALL THINGS” through Christ who gives us strength. (Philippians 4:13)

And now fast forward many years later to when God has enabled and allowed me to have earned not only a Bachelor’s but a Master’s degree in Education. To God be the Glory! I share this with you my friend not to boast in anything I’ve done but to boast in everything God has done in and through me. He is truly faithful to His Word.

Perhaps you are at some crossroads in your life today that you don’t see any way out and how you would like to “change” your life or situation. Often times, our own thoughts hold us in captivity from where we would like to be. Begin to change your way of negative thinking today to thinking what God says about you and what He wants to do in your life. I know that God is no respecter of persons and what He has done in my life, He can certainly do for you. He is only waiting for you to take that first step and call out His name. Your new life In Christ is waiting.